1. Definition

Electrochemical treatment is a process that uses electrical energy to trigger chemical reactions in materials or substances. It applies electrochemical principles to achieve specific objectives such as removing contaminants, modifying surfaces, or recovering metals.
The process is based on the movement of ions in an electrolytic solution, activated by an applied electrical voltage. It finds widespread use in both industrial applications and research.

2. Applications

Electrochemical treatment is employed across a wide range of fields, including:

• Water Treatment: Removal of pollutants, heavy metals, and other impurities from wastewater and drinking water.
• Metal Processing: Cleaning, coating, or finishing metal surfaces through processes like electroplating or anodizing.
• Energy: In batteries and fuel cells for energy generation, storage, and conversion.
• Medicine: Manufacturing implants or medical devices with specialized surface properties.
• Environmental Protection: Treating waste and residues to neutralize or remove harmful substances.
• Material Research: Developing new materials and optimizing their properties through electrochemical processes.

The flexibility and precision of electrochemical treatment make it a valuable technology in many industries.

3. Types of Electrochemical Treatment

There are several types of electrochemical processes used depending on the objectives and applications:

• Electrolysis: Splitting substances using electrical energy, such as hydrogen production or metal purification.
• Electroplating: Applying a metal layer to a surface for corrosion protection or decorative purposes.
• Anodizing: Creating an oxide layer on metal surfaces to enhance protection and hardness.
• Electrocoagulation: Using electric currents to bind and remove impurities from water.
• Electropolishing: Smoothing and refining metal surfaces by selectively removing material.
• Electrochemical Deposition: Recovering metals from solutions, often used in the raw materials industry.

This diversity enables electrochemical processes to be tailored to specific technical and industrial needs.